Art loves Boy Scouting and its’ ideals of patriotism, strong faith to God, service to others, wonderful ethics, wholesome culture, and the idea that we all are working together to help young boys grow up to be strong and wholesome men. Men who are better prepared for life. We all loved to kid Art about K-State. He set himself up for the ribbing. His SUV is purple, his house WAS purple and we loved to kid him about the house. He always smiled and took the good natured ribbing knowing that we loved him and admired his passion. This past summer he finally painted the house with a non-purple color, but those who know Art and Sally will always know that under that new coat of paint, remains a purple house. I might mention that the front door is still purple. Art will always be remembered for wanting a Scout to be in proper uniform. Art believed that a proper uniform helped a Scout understand the importance of what Scouting is all about. He would often ask a Scout, “where’s your belt?” Well Art, we have our belts on today for you. Order of the Arrow is the Boy Scouts of America National Honor Society. Art was a natural to be selected for this special and rare honor. To receive this honor, you must exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life. As part of the Ordeal, Art spent a night sleeping alone under the stars. After which he spent a day of little food, hard labor and 24 hours of silence and reflection. Later after an impressive ceremony, Art was given his Order of the Arrow Sash and a plastic red coup. Later, Art was ushered to an area where a special Scouter in our Troop, Mr. Tom Bundy, had a special coup for Art. Mr. Bundy hand carves a cedar coup for all members of our Troop. They are highly coveted and appreciated for their beauty and the labor of love that Tom puts into each and every one. On this occasion, Tom had something different for Art. As with all things in his life, Art had taken the Ordeal very seriously. Tom had made a special coup for Art that was made of a rare and very difficult to carve hardwood that is native to Central and South America. When Tom handed his new Purple Wood Coup to Art, all the tension and intensity of the past 24 hours came as a release and big strong Art started to cry. Then, Tom started crying, I started crying and soon all around us were crying. It was a moment that men rarely experience….and it was something I will remember all my life. A few days ago, Tom and I were reliving that special moment and in a bit of levity, Tom said, “It made perfect sense. Art would probably have painted any cedar coup Purple anyway”. Art tirelessly served the Troop in a number of capacities. He has been our Merit Badge Counselor Coordinator, our Greens Sales Coordinator, an Assistant Scoutmaster, and Art always made sure we had a hot cup of coffee. Even on days when it was ‘0’ degrees, Art made sure we had coffee. It was the best kind… …brewed in an old-fashioned percolator. No matter where we were camping, there was always Art’s Coffee. If Art was asked to do something, you could rest assured that it would be awesome and exceed expectations. The best example I can give is from 2007. Art’s son Matt and my son Grant had been selected as one of 3,400 Scouts to represent the United States at the 100th Anniversary Centennial in England. Matt and Grant were part of a Troop comprised of 34 Scouts from Kansas, Missouri and Iowa. The Scoutmaster was looking for a place to have a ‘trial’ campout so the Scouts could get to know each other prior to arriving in England where they would meet the 40,000 Scouts coming from all over the world. I called Art and asked if he thought we could host the 3-state Troop at Camp Naish, outside Bonner Springs. Art readily agreed. All I needed to do was follow Art’s lead. He worked tirelessly before and during the event to make sure even the smallest of details were addressed. He even made sure the visiting adults had some good coffee. As always, Art exceeded expectations. We knew the end, here on earth, was near for Art. We also knew that Matt was close to earning his rank of Eagle Scout. We knew it was very important to Art that Matt make it to Eagle Scout. We were racing against the clock. Strings were pulled to make it happen and the Tuesday night before Art’s transfer to heaven, we held Matt’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Many friends and family were present and it was very special. As the evening was winding down and all were ready to leave, Darrin Kistler, Matt’s Scoutmaster, and myself were leaning over Art’s bed in his living room. For the most part Art was mumbling and we were unable to understand what he was saying. Finally with all the strength he could muster he uttered two words to us that were the last we would hear Art speak. He said, “Good Boy”. I know Art will say three things to me when I arrive in heaven: “Where ya been”? “What took so long”? And finally: With a big smile, “Ya want some coffee”?